Mounting mechanism with horizontal and vertical restraint and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A mounting mechanism for connecting mechanical equipment to any mounting surface has an upper (floating) portion, and a lower (fixed) portion. The mechanical equipment is mounted to the upper portion, and the lower portion is mounted to the mounting surface. The upper portion and lower portion are connected to each other via a connection mechanism—preferably a resilient connection mechanism. A restraint mechanism is attached to both the upper portion and the lower portion on the side of the upper and lower portion that faces away from the equipment. The restraint mechanism provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 5 pounds per linear inch of length but can provide much higher than that. The restraint mechanism is flexible to allow for isolation of the equipment.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/790,441 filed Jan. 9, 2019.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is in the field of mechanical equipment mounting to a surface. This application specifically discusses mounting mechanical equipment to a roof or roof curb, but the invention would be equally useful for mounting mechanical equipment to any surface.

When mounting mechanical equipment to a surface, it is often desirable to isolate the mechanical equipment from the surface so as to reduce the equipment noise and vibration being transferred to the mounting surface. It is well known in the art to isolate such equipment, by mounting the equipment on an upper rail, and mounting this upper rail to the mounting surface via an isolating mechanism, such as a spring, or elastomeric grommets.

When the mechanical equipment is thus isolated from the mounting surface in such a manner, there is a potential for horizontal movement of the equipment relative to the mounting surface. This movement can be caused by outside forces, such as wind if the equipment is mounted on a roof, movement of the building, equipment vibration, and many others. While the mounting via the isolating mechanism does provide some horizontal restraint, a mounting method is desired which would provide substantial horizontal restraint, while still allowing the equipment to be isolated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an isolation mechanism with horizontal and vertical restraint according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an isolation mechanism with horizontal and vertical restraint according to an aspect of the invention

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an isolation mechanism with horizontal and vertical restraint according to an aspect of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the invention are presented in FIG. 1 which is not drawn to scale. Referring now to this figure, according to an aspect of the invention, there is a mounting mechanism 60 for connecting mechanical equipment to a roof curb, directly to a roof, or to any other mounting surface having an upper (floating) portion 20, and a lower (fixed) portion 30. The upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 are often referred to as an upper rail and lower rail. The mechanical equipment is mounted to the upper portion 20, and the lower portion 30 is mounted to a mounting curb, or directly to the mounting surface 5. The upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 are connected to each other via a connection mechanism 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 are resiliently connected to each other via a resilient connection mechanism.

The upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30 have an inside (22 and 32 respectively) which is the side that faces towards the equipment, and an outside (24 and 34 respectively) which is the side that faces away from the equipment.

A restraint mechanism 10 is attached to both the upper portion outside 24 and the lower portion outside 34 and provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 5 pounds per linear inch of length. According to a further aspect of the invention, the restraint mechanism 10 provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 10 pounds per linear inch, and can provide much higher than that. In a preferred embodiment, the restraint mechanism 10 provides a minimum of 30 pounds per linear inch.

The restraint mechanism 10 completely covers any gap between the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30. According to an aspect of the invention, the restraint mechanism 10 is continuous along the entire length of the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30, such that the restraint mechanism 10 acts to seal out the environment. When the restraint mechanism 10 acts in this way as a weather seal, according to an aspect of the invention, the restraint mechanism 10 may be comprised of a weather resistant material. One such example of a weather resistant material is reinforced roofing EPDM material. Another example is coated duck (canvas). Specifically, one example would be 1/16 sheet rubber with fabric cords. Another example is fabric reinforced PVC. This are examples only, and the invention is not limited to these materials.

The restraint mechanism 10 may be structural adhesive tape. In this case, the tape is attached to the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30 via adhesive. Even if the restraint mechanism 10 is adhesive tape, further means may be used to secure this to the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30.

The restraint mechanism 10 could also be a non-adhesive textile membrane.

In all embodiments, the restraint mechanism 10 material should be somewhat flexible to maintain the isolation of the equipment.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an inside restraint mechanism 11 may also be attached to both the upper portion inside 22 and the lower portion inside 32. Adding this inside restraint mechanism 11 can effectively double the restraint capacity on lb/ft basis of rail length. Further, adding this inside restraint mechanism 11 can provide a pressure tight seal.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is further an upper clamping strip 40, and a lower clamping strip 50, wherein the upper clamping strip 40 clamps the restraint mechanism 10 to the upper portion 20, and the lower clamping strip 50 clamps the restraint mechanism 10 to the lower portion 30. In this embodiment, the upper clamping strip 40 is attached to the upper portion 20, and the lower clamping strip 50 is attached to the lower portion 30.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the upper portion 20 further has an upper first flange 25, and the restraint mechanism 10 folds over the upper first flange 25, and the upper clamping strip 40 clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the upper clamping strip 40 and the upper first flange 25. The upper portion 20 may further have an upper second flange 26 wherein the upper clamping strip 40 further clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the upper clamping strip 40 and the upper second flange 26.

The lower portion 30 may also have a lower first flange 35, wherein the restraint mechanism 10 folds over the lower first flange 35, and the lower clamping strip 50 clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the lower clamping strip 50 and the lower first flange 35. The lower portion 30 may further have a lower second flange 36 wherein the lower clamping strip 50 further clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the lower clamping strip 50 and the lower second flange 36.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of connecting mechanical equipment to a mounting surface, roof curb or directly to a roof, comprises providing an upper (floating) portion 20, and a lower (fixed) portion 30, mounting the lower portion 30 to the mounting surface, roof curb, or directly to the roof, and connecting the upper portion 20 to the lower portion 30 via a connection mechanism 3. One should further attach a restraint mechanism 10 to both the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30, wherein the restraint mechanism 10 provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 5 pounds per linear inch of length. One should then mount the mechanical equipment to the upper portion 20. In a preferred method, the connection mechanism 3 is resilient, such as a spring, or an elastomer. According to a further aspect of the invention, the restraint mechanism 10 provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 10 pounds per linear inch and can provide much higher than that. In a preferred embodiment, the restraint mechanism 10 provides a minimum of 30 pounds per linear inch.

According to an aspect of the invention, one should attach an inside restraint mechanism 11 is to both the upper portion inside 22 and the lower portion inside 32.

Both the restrain mechanism 10 and the inside restraint mechanism 11 (if used) may be attached to the upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 before the lower portion 30 is mounted to the mounting surface 5, and before the equipment is mounted to the upper portion 20.

According to an aspect of the invention, one attaches the restraint mechanism 10 to the upper portion 20 by clamping the restraint mechanism 10 with an upper clamping strip 40, and one attaches the restraint mechanism 10 to the lower portion 30 by clamping the restraint mechanism 10 with an lower clamping strip 50. In this embodiment, the upper clamping strip 40 is attached to the upper portion 20, and the lower clamping strip 50 is attached to the lower portion 30.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the upper portion 20 further has an upper first flange 25, and one folds the restraint mechanism 10 over the upper first flange 25, and clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the upper clamping strip 40 and the upper first flange 25. The upper portion 20 may further have an upper second flange 26 wherein one clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the upper clamping strip 40 and the upper second flange 26.

The lower portion 30 may also have a lower first flange 35, wherein one folds the restraint mechanism 10 over the lower first flange 35 and clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the lower clamping strip 50 and the lower first flange 35. The lower portion 30 may further have a lower second flange 36 wherein one clamps the restraint mechanism 10 between the lower clamping strip 50 and the lower second flange 36. 

I claim:
 1. A mounting mechanism for connecting mechanical equipment to a roof curb, directly to a roof, or to any mounting surface, wherein the isolation mechanism has an upper (floating) portion, and a lower (fixed) portion, wherein the mechanical equipment is mounted to said upper portion, and said lower portion is mounted to the roof curb, directly to the roof, or to other mounting surface, and wherein said upper and lower portions are connected to each other via a connection mechanism, and further comprising; A restraint mechanism attached to both said upper portion and said lower portion, wherein said restraint mechanism has a length, and wherein said restraint mechanism provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 5 pounds per linear inch of length.
 3. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said restraint mechanism provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 10 pounds per linear inch of length.
 4. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said restraint mechanism provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 30 pounds per linear inch of length.
 5. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said connection mechanism is a resilient connection mechanism.
 6. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said upper portion and said lower portion each have an inside (upper portion inside, and lower portion inside respectively) which is the side that faces towards the mechanical equipment, and each have an outside (upper portion outside, and lower portion outside respectively) which is the side that faces away from the mechanical equipment, and wherein said restraint mechanism is attached to said upper portion outside and said lower portion outside.
 7. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said restraint mechanism completely covers any gap between said upper portion and said lower portion, and wherein said restraint mechanism further is continuous along the entire length of said upper portion and said lower portion.
 8. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said restraint mechanism is comprised of structural adhesive tape, and said tape is attached to said upper portion and said lower portion via adhesive.
 9. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said restrain mechanism is a textile membrane.
 10. The mounting mechanism of claim 7 wherein said restrain mechanism is a weather resistant material.
 11. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said restrain mechanism is a fabric reinforced PVC.
 12. The mounting mechanism of claim 6, further comprising an inside restraint mechanism, wherein said inside restraint mechanism is attached to both said upper portion inside and said lower portion inside.
 13. The mounting mechanism of claim 1 further comprising an upper clamping strip, and a lower clamping strip, wherein said upper clamping strip clamps said restraint mechanism to said upper portion, and said lower clamping strip clamps said restraint mechanism to said lower portion, wherein said upper clamping strip is attached to said upper portion, and said lower clamping strip is attached to said lower portion.
 14. The mounting mechanism of claim 13 wherein said upper portion further has an upper first flange, wherein said restraint mechanism folds over said upper first flange and said upper clamping strip clamps said restraint mechanism between said upper clamping strip and said upper first flange.
 15. The mounting mechanism of claim 14 wherein said upper portion further has an upper second flange, wherein said upper clamping strip further clamps said restraint mechanism between said upper clamping strip and said upper second flange.
 16. The mounting mechanism of claim 13 wherein said lower portion further has a lower first flange, wherein said restraint mechanism folds over said lower first flange, and said lower clamping strip clamps said restraint mechanism between said lower clamping strip and said lower first flange.
 17. The mounting mechanism of claim 16 wherein said lower portion further has a lower second flange wherein said lower clamping strip further clamps said restraint mechanism between said lower clamping strip and said lower second flange.
 18. A method of connecting mechanical equipment to a roof curb, directly to a roof, or to a mounting surface, comprising providing an upper (floating) portion, and a lower (fixed) portion, mounting the mechanical equipment to said upper portion, and mounting said lower portion to the roof curb, directly to the roof, or to a mounting surface, and connecting said upper and lower portions to each other via a connection mechanism, and further comprising the steps; Attaching a restraint mechanism to both said upper portion and said lower portion, wherein said restraint mechanism provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 5 pounds per linear inch of length.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said restraint mechanism provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 10 pounds per linear inch of length.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein said restraint mechanism provides positive restraint at a rate of at least 30 pounds per linear inch of length.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein said connection mechanism is a resilient connection mechanism.
 22. The method of claim 18 wherein said upper portion and said lower portion each have an inside (upper portion inside, and lower portion inside respectively) which is the side that faces towards the mechanical equipment, and each have an outside (upper portion outside, and lower portion outside respectively) which is the side that faces away from the mechanical equipment, further comprising the step of attaching said restraint mechanism to said upper portion outside and said lower portion outside.
 23. The method of claim 18 wherein said restraint mechanism completely covers any gap between said upper portion and said lower portion, and wherein said restraint mechanism further is continuous along the entire length of said upper portion and said lower portion.
 24. The method of claim 18 wherein said restraint mechanism is comprised of structural adhesive tape, and said tape is attached to said upper portion and said lower portion via adhesive.
 25. The method of claim 18 wherein said restrain mechanism is a textile membrane.
 26. The method of claim 23 wherein said restrain mechanism is a weather resistant material.
 27. The method of claim 18 wherein said restrain mechanism is a fabric reinforced PVC.
 28. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of attaching an inside restraint mechanism to both said upper portion inside and said lower portion inside.
 29. The method of claim 18 wherein an upper clamping strip is provided, and a lower clamping strip is provided, further comprising the step of clamping said restraint mechanism to said upper portion with said upper clamping strip, and clamping said restraint mechanism to said lower portion with said lower clamping strip, wherein said upper clamping strip is attached to said upper portion, and said lower clamping strip is attached to said lower portion.
 30. The method of claim 29 wherein said upper portion further has an upper first flange, further comprising the step of folding said restraint mechanism over said upper first flange, and clamping said restraint mechanism between said upper clamping strip and said upper first flange with said upper clamping strip.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein said upper portion further has an upper second flange, further comprising the step of clamping said restraint mechanism between said upper clamping strip and said upper second flange with said upper clamping strip.
 32. The method of claim 29 wherein said lower portion further has a lower first flange, further comprising the step of folding said restraint mechanism over said lower first flange, and clamping said restraint mechanism between said lower clamping strip and said lower first flange with said lower clamping strip.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein said lower portion further has a lower second flange further comprising the step of clamping said restraint mechanism between said lower clamping strip and said lower second flange with said lower clamping strip. 